Is thyroid cancer curable?

Yes, most thyroid cancers are very curable. Papillary thyroid cancer, the most common type, has a five-year survival rate of over 98 percent when diagnosed at an early stage.

Will I need to take medication after thyroid surgery?

Yes, if the entire thyroid is removed, you will need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication for life to maintain normal metabolism and suppress any remaining cancer cells.

Are thyroid nodules always cancerous?

No, the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign. Only about 5 to 15 percent of thyroid nodules are found to be cancerous, which is why biopsy is important for suspicious nodules.

CancerICD-10: C73About 44,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the US

Thyroid Cancer

Also known as: Thyroid carcinoma, Thyroid malignancy

Thyroid cancer develops in the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck that produces hormones regulating metabolism. Most thyroid cancers are highly treatable with excellent survival rates, especially papillary and follicular types. The most common sign is a painless lump or nodule in the neck.

Symptoms

Painless lump or nodule in the neck

Swelling in the neck

Hoarseness or voice changes

Difficulty swallowing

Pain in the throat or neck

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Persistent cough not related to a cold

Causes

DNA mutations in thyroid cells causing uncontrolled growth
Radiation exposure, especially during childhood
Genetic syndromes such as familial medullary thyroid cancer or MEN
Chronic goiter or thyroid inflammation

Risk Factors

Exposure to high levels of radiation
Family history of thyroid cancer or thyroid disease
Female sex with three times higher risk than males
Age between 25 and 65 years
History of goiter

Diagnosis

Thyroid ultrasound to evaluate nodules
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
Thyroid function blood tests
CT or MRI for staging
Radioactive iodine scan in certain cases

Treatment

Thyroidectomy (partial or total removal of the thyroid)
Radioactive iodine therapy to destroy remaining thyroid tissue
Thyroid hormone replacement therapy
External radiation therapy for aggressive types
Targeted therapy for advanced or recurrent cancer
Active surveillance for very small, low-risk papillary cancers

Prevention

No proven prevention for most thyroid cancers
Genetic testing and prophylactic surgery for familial medullary thyroid cancer
Potassium iodide tablets to protect the thyroid in case of nuclear emergency

When to See a Doctor

A new lump or swelling in the neck
Persistent hoarseness or voice changes
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Family history of thyroid cancer prompting screening

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Conditions

Hypothyroidism

Endocrine

Hyperthyroidism

Endocrine

Thyroid Nodules

Endocrine

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